News and Events

The recent bushfires in Australia have impacted people in many different ways. Even those who are not in bushfire affected areas are experiencing the ongoing physical and mental health effects of smoke, changes in weather, the loss of the natural environment and many other issues.   During these times, it is important to look after your own mental health and to reach out to those in your community who may also be affected. Looking after your mental health and reaching out to your community is important for your wellbeing. If you are looking for further information on the impact of bushfires on mental health, the following resources are available in a number of languages to assist you and your community: Family help kit - post traumatic stress factsheet

The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (The Framework) Are you looking for ways to build the cultural responsiveness of your practice or service? Would you like to learn more about what tools and resources are available to support you? Mental health services, Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and individual practitioners are warmly invited to attend a workshop in your state/territory on the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (the Framework).

1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness, yet many don't seek help because of stigma. We can all do something to help shed a more positive light on mental health. World Mental Health Day – October 10 — is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. It is an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide. Mental Health Australia leads the World Mental Health Day campaign in Australia.

Dear friends and stakeholders I am pleased to share this update with you following an exciting period for Embrace Multicultural Mental Health (the Embrace Project). We were delighted to be joined by many of you for the official launch of the Embrace Project at the Multicultural Hub in Melbourne on 16 August 2019. This was a significant milestone for the project, and we are deeply grateful to all presenters and attendees for making it such a meaningful event.

These words, spoken by so many consumers and carers that have helped shape the new national multicultural mental health project – Embrace Multicultural Mental Health – are the essence of today’s launch, and the future of this project and a concerted effort to provide mental health services and information that is culturally appropriate. 

Latest update from Ruth Das, National Multicultural Mental Health Project Manager: Dear friends and colleagues I'm pleased to write to you all with an update on the National Multicultural Mental Health Project. Priorities In 2018 we were strongly focussed on bringing people together for this highly collaborative project, including mental health consumers and carers from multicultural backgrounds as well as key stakeholders from across the mental health and multicultural sectors. Together, we have begun a significant program of work which builds on the achievements of previous national projects, and aims towards an equitable mental health system and improved mental health and wellbeing for Australia’s multicultural population. In 2019 we will continue to work together to progress this important work, including:

Latest update from Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia: As the year comes to a close, I’m pleased to share an update on the National Multicultural Mental Health Project, and look to what’s ahead for 2019.  Since the public announcement of the project in May this year, our focus has been on coming together with lived experience and professional experts from across the mental health and multicultural sectors. Together, we’ve shaped and begun a significant program of work which we’re confident will help us move towards a more equitable mental health system, which reflects and responds well to the needs of Australia’s multicultural population. 

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